your guide to choosing your home's exterior window

YOUR GUIDE TO CHOOSING YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR WINDOW


PART 1Your Options

Choosing the right exterior window is a difficult prospect, not because your choices are limited, but because, to the contrary, there are a dizzying number of options to be found on the market today. Let’s start by going through the styles you can pick from.


PART ONE: YOUR OPTIONS

PICTURE. Also known as a fixed window, a picture window only admits light. It cannot be opened to let air in or out of a room.

HUNG.Hung windows are available as single-hung or double-hung. Single-hung windows have one sash that slides vertically up and down; double-windows have two.

SLIDING.Sliding windows open horizontally, along a window track.

BOW AND BAY. These combination windows project outward from the home, creating interesting lines that are ideal for a lot of architectural styles.

CASEMENT.Hinged at the top or the bottom, casement windows are great at admitting passive ventilation and daylighting into any living space.



You can choose from various options in terms of glazing and framing, including the following:

GLAZING ■ Low-e. Low-emissivity glass features special coatings, either tin or silver, that admit visible light but block infrared light.

■ Insulated. Separated by a spacer, this kind of glass is commonly seen in built-up units. Common examples include double-glazed or triple-glazed units.

FRAMING ■ Composites. Vinyl, fiberglass, and other composites are engineered to reduce unwanted energy transfer, as well as preserve structural integrity for a long time. Some composites, however, are susceptible to physical damage.

■ Wood. Wood continues to be one of the most loved framing materials for windows. Its classic beauty and appeal, after all, is hard to mimic. Wood is also the most recommended material for use in refurbishing historical homes. Wood, however, is not as energy efficient as composites. It is also more at risk of rotting, warping, and showing other signs of aging and damage.



■ Metal. Aluminum and stainless steel are two common metal framing materials you can choose for your windows. If you do go for these materials, however, make sure to choose metal frames that have thermal breakers. Regular models easily allow heat loss or gain, and can be susceptible to changes in weather conditions and temperature.

Knowing what your options are is definitely a start, but knowing what to do with those options to ensure they work well for you is a different matter altogether. In part 2 of this e-book, we discuss how you can choose products according to your goals.


PART 2Your Goals

We talked about the different options for window styles, frames, and glazing in part 1. Let’s now delve deeper into which of those options are best suited for specific purposes.


PART TWO: YOUR GOALS

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

ENERGY STAR labels energy efficient window products, and the National Fenestration Rating Council certifies the products according to these parameters:

■ U-factor. The amount of heat lost through the window. Lower ratings mean more resistance against heat transfer.

■ Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). The amount of solar radiation admitted through the window. Expressed in values between 0 and 1, Lower SHGC values mean less solar heat admitted through the unit.

■ Air leakage. The amount of air that passes through the window. AL rating must be 0.30 or less.

■ Visible transmittance. The amount of visible light admitted through the window. Higher VT values mean more daylight is transmitted by the window.

■ Condensation resistance. The rate by which the window resists the formation of condensation. An optional rating on the NFRC label, CR is expressed as a number between 1 and 100; higher ratings mean higher condensation resistance.

Remember, though, that picking out windows with the right energy performance numbers is only one small part of choosing energy efficient windows. Your windows must suit your home’s orientation, especially with regard to the sun, as well as your climatic conditions (among other factors).


PART TWO: YOUR GOALS

SUSTAINABILITYFor the eco-conscious homeowner, window frames made from composites are a great choice. These products are largely manufactured from recyclable materials – and they can be recycled back into production themselves, when they have reached the end of their life cycle.

Wood windows also score high on sustainability, since they are made from naturally-occurring products. They have to be maintained properly, however, if you wish to avoid having to replace them frequently.

AESTHETICSYour exterior windows play a direct role in your home’s curb appeal. To make the right choice, always take into account your home’s architectural style. Fixed windows with multiple mullions, for instance, look great on Continental homes – while casement windows can spruce up a Victorian home really well. Other styles fit modern architectural styles, while bow and bay windows can create dramatic lines and unique silhouettes.

So you’ve now gained at least an inkling of which products to choose and what to use them for. Who do you hire to install them? We will discuss that in the closing segment of our e-book.


PART 3Your Contractor

Part one of the e-book covered the various window options you can find today, while part two examined which options are best for energy efficiency, sustainability, and aesthetics. Today, let’s find out who should get to install your windows for you.


PART THREE: YOUR CONTRACTOR

Who you commission to install your exterior windows is important to making the most out of those windows – in terms of energy efficiency, functionality, warranty, and aesthetics. When selecting your contractor, mind these considerations.

BUILDING CODESWindows and doors have to follow the conditions set forth in the 2012 International Residential Code, the International Building Code, and the International Energy Conservation Code. Plus, states and localities may enforce separate provisions.

LICENSE OR PERMITSSome states require home improvement contractors to be licensed, while others are okay with them just being certified. It is necessary that you know what your state’s stand on professional regulation is, so you can choose the right professional. In addition, you may need to secure a permit before you can start your window installation or replacement project.


PART THREE: YOUR CONTRACTOR

EXPERIENCE

Lastly, your contractor must be experienced. Experience comes with a lot of perks, some of the most rewarding of which include:

■ Proper installation techniques. Installation must be successful for the product to work properly. In the case of energy efficient windows, this is even more important. Buying a product that has a high air leakage rating, for instance, will not end up being a good investment if the installation is sloppy, leading to numerous gaps and leaks around the frames. In addition, if you live in an area that frequently experiences inclement weather, your window’s role in protecting your home from the elements makes skilled installation an even bigger priority.

■ Customized solutions. A good contractor also knows that a one-size-fits-all approach to a window project hardly ever works. Your home has specific needs that should be accommodated prior to the installation, and satisfied by the time the project ends. Your contractor should readily suggest additional accessories that can help improve your windows’ performance, like shutters or awnings.

■ Warranty. Lastly, your contractor should be able to offer a comprehensive warranty. A good contractor will be upfront and will provide coverage for the very issues that are most likely to crop up in the future.


NEXT DOOR & WINDOW16W240 83RD St., Burr Ridge, IL 60527

1-877-676-9710www.NextDoorAndWindow.net

http://www.NextDoorAndWindow.net

your guide to choosing your home's exterior window

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